Liberia coach Ansu Keita is in turmoil. He has received death threats from supporters and for his own safety, the 63-year-old coach did not attend the match against Equatorial Guinea on Matchday 2 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Since taking over the reins of the Liberian national team last January, Ansu Keita has yet to win a single match. The Lone Stars are on a six-game losing streak. The most recent of these came against Equatorial Guinea on Matchday 2 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The 63-year-old coach was unable to attend the match. The reason? Ansu Keita was threatened with death by supporters.
Some fans are demanding the 63-year-old's resignation after Liberia opened their Group H qualifying campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Malawi at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex on Friday November 17. Fanatical supporters even prevented the post-match press conference by breaking a window and barricading the Liberian dressing room. Keita and his players, along with officials from the Liberian Football Association (LFA), had to take refuge in the stadium for over two hours for fear of reprisals.
Faced with this situation, LFA vice-president Adolphus Dolo asked Anus Keita not to attend the match against Equatorial Guinea. The technician categorically refused to accept this request."I told him I'd still go to the match.If the Liberians want to kill me for soccer, let them kill me," Keita told BBC Sport Africa.
Ansu Keita, however, retracted his statement after a committee from the Liberian Football Federation visited him at his hotel. "I didn't want to take part in the match, for my own safety and in the best interests of the country. I am still the coach of the national team because I have a two-year contract," he maintained.
Liberian authorities have strongly condemned this situation, which has no place in soccer."His life is very, very important. It was important that he stayed away to protect him from attacks. The LFA will decide whether Keita's contract will be revised, whether he will be sacked or whether they will reach a mutual agreement. The government will support whatever decision they reach," said Liberian Deputy Sports Minister Andy Quamie.
Meanwhile, the appointment of Ansu Keita as coach of the Lone Stars was not unanimously welcomed in George Weah's homeland. Former Liberian national team coach Salinsa Debbah was vehemently opposed.
